Grometing-machine.



l. E. PALMER.

.GROMETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED luLYzx. 1914,

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

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l. E. PALMER.

GRONIETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IuLYzI. I9I4..

1,28%?1@ Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

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l. E. PALMER.

GHDMETING MACHINE.

APPLlcATloN F|LEDJuLY21.l914.

LSQf/l., Patented Oct. 22, 1918. l 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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APPLICATION FILED 1ULY2I. |914.

1,282,714. Patented 00u-22,1918.

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ISAAC E. PALMER, OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT; TOWNSEND PALMER AND NATHALIE T. PALMER ADMINISTRATORS OE SAID ISAAC E. PALMER, DECEASED.

GROMETING-MACHINE.

Application led July 21, 1914.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, IsAAo E. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Grometing-lvlachines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a speciiication, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to grometing machines which may be of general application, Abut which are particularly intended for use in applying gromets to gromet holes of cloth, sheets or strips constituting suspension ends o1: other parts of couch hammocks.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed a single embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a side elevation of a grometing machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section thereof upon the line 2 2 of Fic'. l;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section upon the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4: is a side elevation of the head of the grometing machine on an enlarged scale and showing the support in section;

Fig. 5V is a plan view representing a slightly modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan view upon an enlarged scale and partially in transverse section of the preferred'form of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken through the gromet-applyin g device and its support;

Fig. 8 is a detail of one of the blank or sheet holders; Y

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the apparatus and showing the preferred form of blank or sheet-positioning means; and

Fig. l0 is a modification representing a plurality of heads arranged in a gang and adapted for use in applying diiferent sized gromets.

An important object of my invention is to provide in proximity to each other a hole punching device and a gromet applying device which may be independently operated, so that the blanks or sheets may be individually presented in turn thereto conveniently and without lost time or movement. Preferably in conjunction therewith, I provide means for holding a blank or sheet or .for holding aseries of blanksor sheets in Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ct. 22, i918.

Serial No. 852,323.

register, so that the gromets may be applied at the same point to each. Other objects of the invention will be set forth more fully in detail hereafter. l

ings, the framing of the machine is repre sented most clearly at 1 in Fig. l, it consisting of suitable uprights at the upper end of which is a suitable top 2 consisting of the basal support for the head`3 of the mechanism. In the rear of the head 3 is positioned a table 4 supported upon legs 5 or otherwise and upon which the blanks or sheets 6 indicated in Fig. 9 are adapted to be piled in register.

Obviously the apparatus is adapted for applying ygromets to widely diifering devices, but in the disclosed embodiment of the invention I have represented it as peculiarly adapted for applying IQromets to the cloth suspension ends of couch hammocks. Such cloth ends are of varying dimensions, but are herein represented as measuring about two feet in each direction. A couch hammock is customarily provided with cloth suspension ends extending transversely of the hammock and with a cloth wind shield eX- tending longitudinally of the hammock and of substantially the same height. The meeting edges of the ends and wind shield are customarily provided with gromets through which lacing cords are passed, thereby detachably securing said edges together. It is important, therefore, that the gromets be applied in the same relative positions in the entire series of suspension ends and of the wind shields, so that when the parts are assembled, each pair 0f gromets of a suspension end and wind shield may be in horizontal alinement. For this purpose and as more fully setV forth hereinafter, I preferably provide suitable means for holding a series of blanks or sheets constituting the suspension ends in register, but in such manner `as to permit the manual application thereof singly to the punch and gromet applying devices without disturbing their registering relation.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and 4, the head 3 is therein shown as provided with a vertical through-opening 6 receiving therein a plunger 7 having preferably detachably secured to the lower end thereof a punch 8, here shown as having a concaved ldwer end 9.

Referring more particularly to the draw-` Surrounding the punch within the opening 6 is a coiled spring 10 tending normally to elevate the punch into the position shown in Fig. 4. Directly below the punch 8 is a die 11 having a socket 12 therein having a surrounding cutting edge at its upper end and with which the surrounding edge of the punch 8 cooperates to punch a suitable sized hole in the blank or sheet presented thereto.

Mounted in the same head and in proximity to the punch, and preferably directly in the rear thereof is a suitable gromet applying device.` its here represented and as shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 7, this consists of a socket piece 13, preferably of metal, and having an aXial socket 14 of suitable depth therein. The said socket piece 13 is adapted to be reciprocated within the base portion 15 of the head, and for that purpose, it is mbunted in a through-opening 1G therein having a notched, upper end 17, thereby presenting a shoulder 18 upon which the socket piece rests when in lowered position. Directly above the socket piece 13 and secured to an overhanging. portion 19 of the head 3 is a co-acting member 20 of the gromet applying device. Said member is provided with a preferably cylindrical projection 21, which is adapted to enter the socket 14 of the socket piece 13 when the latter is lifted. The upper face 22 of the socket piece may be and is represented as annularly grooved or recessed at 23 to receive the lower member 24 of the gromet. Said member 24 is provided with an upstanding neck 25 which is adapted to be upset on the overlying member 26 of the gromet in the action of the gromet applying mechanism, thereby to secure the gromet in the hole punched in the blank or sheet by the punch and die 8, 11.

Vhile l may operate the punch 8 and the gromet applyingr device 13 in any suitable manner, I have, in the disclosed embodiment of the invention, represented the punch 8 as mounted in the overhanging portion of the head, so as to be moved downward in the punching operation, and have represented the socket piece 13 as mounted in the basal portion 5 of the head, so that it may be elevated in the gromet applying movement. While this position of the parts may be reversed, the construction shown is 'that preferred.

ln order to operate the punch and gromet applying device, I may employ anysuitable means, but herein I have represented for operating the punch 8 a lever 27 pivoted at 28 in ears or upstanding projections 29 extending from the head 3. The lever at its under side is suitably shaped to engage the head of the plunger 7 of the die, so as to depress the same within thel opening 6 in the head Vagainst the actionof the coiled spring 1 0.

At a suitable point in the frame and pref erably near the floor, l mount a rod or shaft-like member 29', shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3. rlhereon 1 pivotally mount a treadle 30 having a hub 31 suitably received upon said rod 29. Connecting the treadle 30 and lever 27 is a suitaable link or connecting rod .32, and preferably l provide a coiled spring 33 connected to the supporting rod 29 and the hub of the treadle 30, so as to assist thecoil spring 10 in lifting the lever Q7 after each punching movement.

The socket piece 13 has an integral or suitably attached portion 34 extending through the opening 16, and here shown as having an enlargement 35 provided with a transverse socket or opening 36 adapted loosely to receive one end 37 of a lever 38 pivoted at 39 in a suitable bracket 40 upon the under side of the basal support 2 of the head. The opposite arm 41 of said lever is connected by a rod or link 42 to a treadle 43 likewise suitably mounted upon the rod or support 29 as indicated most clearly in l? ig. 3. Through the instrumentality of the treadle 43 the socket piece 13 is lifted to secure the gromet pieces 24, 26 in position upon the blank or sheet. The parts are of suiiicient weight so that the socket piece is promptly returned to inactive position after the application of the gromet, but preferably I provide a coiled spring 44 suitably connected by a strap 45 or otherwise to the enlargement 35 of the socket piece and also to the frame 1 at any suitable point.

As previously indicated, I preferably provide means whereby a blank or sheet may be held or whereby a series of blanks or sheets may be held in register and in such manner that they may be individually presented one after another first to the action of the punch and then to the action of the gromet applying device without withdrawing the blank or sheet from its support, and thus without removing it from registering position. For this purpose, l preferably provide suitable holding devices to which the front edges of the blanks or sheets ,are applied at relatively great distance'apart, so that the operative may seize the blank or sheet by its forward edge and, without withdrawing it from the holding device, may move it into position beneath the punch 8 and then into position over the gromet applying device 13. To this end, it is of great importance that the punch and gromet applying device be in proximity to each other, and in order to secure the best results, the said members should be in aline ment longitudinally of the head. They are thus in a line which is normal to the front ory transversely extending edges of the blanks or sheets.

While any suitable means may be ein* ployed to Yhold the blanks or sheets and to permit them to be individually presented as described, I have in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 9 represented one form of means for this purpose. Therein I have represented blank shifting means here consisting of a sprocket chain 46 mounted upon horizontally alined sprocket wheels 47, 48, themselves mounted for rotation upon suitable brackets 49, laterally projecting from the machine frame l in such manner that the upper and lower runs of said sprocket chain are horizontal. The said chain is provided with a preferably metallic strip 47 secured at its intermediate portion 48 to the upper face of the chain and bent upwardly at points 49', 50 between its ends, so that the end portions 5l, 52 are spaced somewhat above the chain 46. At suitable points, and as shown in Fig. 9, the strip 47 is longitudinally slotted as indicated at 53, 54 for the reception of clips or holders 55, 56 represented upon a larger scale in Fig. 8. The said clips or holders are held in position in said slots 53, 54 by means of bolts, 57, and may be adjusted to any suitable position therein.

The forward edges of the blank or sheets are adapted to be positioned in said clips or holders, and in order to move the same, so that the proper portion thereof may be presented to the action of the punch or gromet applying device, I provide the sprocket chain 46 with suitable means to hold it in the position to which it is shifted and to determine accurately such position. For that purpose, I have in Fig. 9 represented the chain as having pivoted thereto in ears 58 blade-like levers 59, which when turned forward and downwardly are adapted to be received in any suitable notches or slots 60 in a longitudinal strip 61, which is positioned edgewise in and projects above the upper surface of the adjacent portion 61 of the bed of the machine at each side of the head 3 thereof. The. said notches or slots 60 are symmetrically arranged upon opposite sides of the head 3.

The sprocket wheels 47, 48 are positioned apart preferably the entire width of the table 4, and the construction is such that when the operative after having elevated the levers 59, has shifted the sprocket chain 46 in one direction or the other until the said levers arepermitted to drop into the proper slots or notches, the entire series of blanks or sheets is supported in proper position with respect to the head 3. After each blank or sheet 6 has been grometed as described, it is withdrawn from the holders 55, 56 and the neXt underlying blank or sheet is treated in the same manner. The sprocket chain is flexed transversely by the operator in moving a blank or sheet toward or from the punch and gromet applying device. Within the scope of the invention, a single blank or sheet may be supported at a time within the holders 55, 56 and moved as described not only transversely of the head, but also in a direction axially or longitudinally thereof. Also within the scope of the invention, a series of blanks or sheets may be so supported, and in such case in order to punch a single blank or sheet and to apply the gromet thereto, the operator preferably manually moves the blank or sheet without withdrawing it from the hold- 'ers 55, 56, and may at the same time manually displace portions of the overlying blanks or sheets. If desired, the entire series of blanks or sheets may be so supported in the holders 55, 56, and the latter may be so located that it is necessary for the operator to draw or move each of the series of sheets or blanks within operative relation to the punch and gromet applying` device.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a slightly modified form of the shifting means for the sheets or blanks. Instead of providing a strip 60, such as shown in Fig. 9, I provide a short adjustable strip 62 provided with a longitudinal. slot 63 to receive a bolt or screw 64 by which it may be secured in proper adjusted position. Upon the strip 63, I pivot at 65 a lever 66 having an upstanding stud or pin 67, which, when it is swung into the position shown in Fig. 5, constitutes a stop against which the lever 59 is adapted to be received, thereby to hold the series of blanks or sheets in shifted position.

In Fig. 10, I have represented a slightly modified form of my invention, wherein I have shown three heads 3, 3b, 3C which are designed to contain punches and gromet applying devices of graduated size. For example, the punch and gromet applying device of the head 3a may be the smallest of the series, those of the head 3b may be of an intermediate size and those of the head 3c may be of the largest size. The heads are arranged substantially as shown, so that their inner ends are brought close together, and but slight movement of the blank or sheet is necessary to present it to the desired head. I have therein indicated diagrammatically the punches 9 and socket pieces 13. It will be observed that these are arranged in parallel lines, and that those of the outermost heads are not arranged axially of the heads. Each of the punches and gromet applying devices of these heads is independentlv operated, and preferably in the manner heretofore described with respect to the head 3.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that I have provided a simple and easily operated apparatus, by which sheets of any desired character may have holes punched therein and gromets applied to such holes at the proper points and that the entire series of sheets are uniformly acted upon.

It is not essential to the operation of my invention that a sheet Shifting means be employed, inasmuch as Within the scope of my invention, the operative may grasp a sheet lying loosely upon the table 4 and apply it to the punch and gromet applying devices of the head. In such case, the sheet is cus tomarily marked at the points Where the holes are to be punched therein. Preferably, however, I provide suitable holding` means whereby an entire series of blanks or sheets may be held in close proximity to the head. and so that they may be operated upon Without disturbing their relation with respect to the other members of the series.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims:

l. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying` device positioned therein in proximity to each other, a manually movable support for one or more sheets or blanks adapted to be presented manually to said punch and gromet, said support being movable transversely of said punch and gromet and also being movable toward and trom said punch and gromet in a line substantially at right angles to that of its transverse movement.

2. A grometing machine comprising in con'ibination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device positioned therein in proximity to each other, a support for one or more sheets or blanks, and means for permitting movement of said support transversely to said punch and gromet applying device, said support being yieldable in a direction toward and from said punch and gromet applying device in a direction substantially at right angles to its transverse movement.

3. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device in proximity to each other, a movable support for one or more sheets or blanks, and means whereby said support may be moved with said sheets or blanks in either of two directions substantially normal to each other.

4. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity to each other, a guiding belt-like member, supporting means therefor, and means on said` member detachably to support the sheets or blanks for presentation to the punch and gromet applying device, said member being adapted to be moved by the operator tovvard or from the punch and gromet applying device.

5. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device positioned therein in proximity to each other, and a flexible support for one or more sheets or blanks, said support being adapted to be iexed with its supported blanks or sheets tovvard and from said punch and gromet applying device.

6. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device positioned therein in proximity to each other, and a belt like, flexible support `tor one or more sheets or blanks located in proximity to said punch and gromet applying device and adapted to be flexed toward and from the punch and gromet applying device with the supported blanks or sheets.

7. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device positioned therein in proximity to each other, independently operable means therefor including means to depress one of said members and to lift the other in effecting their operation, and a manually movable support for blanks or sheets located in proximity to said punch and gromet applying device and adapted to be moved with a supported blank or sheet in a direction along said head from the punch to the gromet applying device.

8. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device positioned therein in proximity to each other, independently operable means therefor including means to depress one of said members and to lift the other in eiiecting their operation, and a manually movable support for blanks or sheets located in proximity to said punch and gromet applying device, said support being movable in tvvo directions' substantially normal to each other together With the supported blanks or sheets.

9. A grometingl Vmachine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity to each other, independent means for operating said punch and gromet applying device, and manually controlled and manually movable means to hold one or more blanks in position adjacent thereto and so that each member of said series may be manually applied to said punch and to said gromet applying device.

10. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity, means to depress the punch,

means to lift the gromet applying device to effect the operation thereof, and a lexible :pasaria support for a series of blanks or -sheets located in proximity to said punch and gromet applying device and adapted to be flexed toward the same together With the said blanks or sheets. Y

11. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity, means to depress the punch, means to lift the gromet applying device to e'ect Vthe operation thereof and manually controlled and manually movable means to hold a series of blanks in position adjacent thereto and so that each member of said series may be manually applied to said punch and tosaid gromet applying device said holding means being movable trans* versely and also longitudinallv of said head.

12. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity, means to depress the punch, means to lift the gromet applying device to effect the operation thereof, `means for independently operating said punch and gromet applying device, and a belt-like support for sheets and blanks located in proximity to said punch and gromet applying device and adapted to be moved toward the same. s

13. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device Amounted therein in proximity, and a support for sheets or blanks adapted to be moved with said sheets or blanks toward said punch and gromet applying device, and also adapted to be moved in a direction substantially normal to the direction of the first mentioned movement.

14. A gromet machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity to each other, means for operating said parts, a guiding belt-like member, supporting means therefor, and means on said member to hold the sheets or blanks whereby one or more blanks'or sheets while so held may be shifted laterally of the punch and of the gromet applying device.

15.,A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity, means to depress the punch, means to lift the gromet applying device to effect the operation thereof, means to hold a series of blanks or sheets in register and manually controlled and manually operable belt means to shift said series laterally of the punch and gromet applying device While still maintaining them in register.

- 16. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity to each other, a guiding belt-like member, supporting rotatable means therefor and means on said member detachably to support the sheets'or blanks for presentation to the punch and gromet applying device.

, 17. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity to each other, independent means for operating said punch and gromet applying device, a guiding sprocket chain, supporting sprocket gears therefor, and means on said chain to hold the blanks or sheets whereby one or more blanks or sheets while so held may be shifted laterally of the punch and of the gromet applying device.

18. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in substantial alinement longitudinally of the head, independent means for operating said punch and gromet applying device, a guiding sprocket chain, supporting sprocket gears therefor, and means on said chain to hold the blanks or sheets whereby one or more blanks or sheets while so held may be shifted laterally of the punch and of the gromet applying device.

19. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity, means to depress the punch, means to lift the gromet applying device to effect the operation thereof, a guiding sprocket chain, supporting sprocket gears therefor, and means on said chain to hold the blanks or sheets whereby one or more blanks or sheets while so held may be shifted laterally of the punch and of the gromet applying device.

20. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity, independent treadle mechanism to operate the same, a guiding sprocket chain, supporting sprocket gears thereon, and means on said chain to hold the blanks or sheets whereby one or more blanks or sheets while so held may be shifted laterally of the punch and 0f the gromet applying device.

21. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity to each other, independent means for operating said punch and gromet applying device, means to hold a series of blanks or sheets in register, means to shift said series laterally of the punch and gromet applying device while still maintaining them in register, and movable latches carried by said sheet or blank holding means to hold said shifting means in each of a series of lpositions into which it may be moved, and means whereby blanks or sheets may be moved with their holding meanstoward the punch and gromet applying devices.

22. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in substantial alinement longitudinally of the head, independent means i'or operating said punch and gromet applying devices, means to hold a series oi blanks or sheets in register, means to shift said series laterally of the punch and gromet applying device While still maintaining them in register, and levers mounted upon said sheet or blank holding means to hold said shifting means in each of a series of positionsinto which it may be moved, and means whereby blanks or sheets may be moved With their holding means toward the punch and gromet applying devices.

23. A grometing machine comprising in combination, a head having a punch and a gromet applying device mounted therein in proximity, means to depress the punch, means to lilt the gromet applying device to effect the operation thereof, means to hold a series of blanks or sheets in register, means to shift said series laterally of the punch and gromet applying device While still maintaining them in register, means to hold said shifting means in each of a series of positions into which it may be moved, and means whereby blanks or sheets may be moved With their holding means toward the punch and gromet applying devices.

24. A grometing machine for applying gromets to the edge portion of a sheet, comprising in combination, a single head, a punch and a gromet applying. device, each mounted for vertical reciprocation therein and positioned one directly in advance of the other substantially normal to the edge of the sheet in proximity to which the gromet or gromets are applied, so that flexible, sheet-like blanks held at a plurality of widely spaced points may be readily flexed cable therein, a punch operating lever mounted above the punch in position to engage the same, a gromet applying device operating lever mounted below the head and adapted to operate said device, independently mounted treadles for said levers, op-

erating connections between said levers and treadles respectively, and a belt-like support for a sheet or blank to be presented to the punch and gromet applying device,

ln testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence oftwo subscribing Witnesses.

Isaac n. PALMER.

Witnesses REUBEN M..BURR, R. W. MATHISON.

@epics of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. i 

